WIC Goes Digital, Bringing Online Ordering to Food Assistance
Published Date: 11/6/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting December 7, 2026, the WIC program is getting a tech upgrade! This means easier online ordering, smoother food delivery, and better use of data to help moms, babies, and kids get healthy food faster. States will have new tools to modernize WIC while keeping everything secure and fair, with clear deadlines to follow and room for feedback until January 5, 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
WIC may allow internet-based purchases
The rule removes the prohibition on internet-based vendors and allows vendors and WIC shoppers to complete internet-based transactions. State agencies may authorize internet and mobile vendors and permit online ordering and internet-based transactions under State agency policy.
Modernize electronic benefit issuance and delivery
The rule streamlines WIC food delivery to reflect the Program's transition to electronic benefit transfer (EBT): it creates definitions for electronic benefits and cash-value benefits, allows remote issuance of electronic benefits (separating issuance provisions for paper vs electronic), permits State agencies to develop and test new WIC food instrument types (e.g., mobile payments), and allows non-retail, home food delivery systems to ship supplemental foods to participant-designated locations approved by the State agency.
Returned electronic benefits and use window
Vendors may return electronic benefits to a participant's benefit balance when online orders are not fulfilled, and State agencies must provide participants no less than seven (7) days to use returned electronic benefits; use of returned benefits beyond the Last Date To Use (LDTU) may be allowed by the State agency for up to seven (7) days.
No in-person signature or PIN requirement
The rule removes the requirement that WIC shoppers sign paper food instruments in the presence of a cashier and removes the regulatory requirement to use a personal identification number (PIN) in lieu of a signature. The Department expects PIN will remain the default until alternative authentication meets security expectations.
Transaction authentication policies required
State agencies must have appropriate transaction authentication policies for the technologies they allow, and vendors, farmers, and farmers' markets must authenticate EBT transactions in accordance with State agency policies. The rule establishes the PIN as the default authentication method until new standards are developed via the Technical Standards Workgroup.
Farmers and markets can sell WIC online
The rule permits authorized farmers and farmers' markets to sell produce online and encourages State agencies to allow participants to transact their cash-value benefits (CVB) with farmers and at farmers' markets, enabling online purchases of farm-fresh produce.
Prohibition on WIC purchase-related vendor fees
The rule applies a prohibition against vendors, farmers, and farmers' markets charging fees associated with a WIC purchase to all vendor types (not limited to online shopping). This is intended to ensure consistent treatment across vendor types.
State agencies may pay delivery/fee costs with non-WIC funds
The rule clarifies State agencies may use non-WIC funds to pay for costs associated with WIC purchases and to directly cover transportation costs for home food delivery and direct distribution, but such non-WIC funds cannot be used in retail food delivery systems.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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